Legion Auxiliary Hosts Council Meeting

By Carol Singel

McConnellsburg American Legion Auxiliary hosted the Adams, Franklin, Fulton and York County Council meeting December 4 at the legion. Santa and his little helper greeted everyone as they entered. Coffee and donuts were served at 9:30 a.m., the meeting started at 10:30 a.m. with AFFY County Council President Carole Alldinger presiding. All nine council officers were present. Dignitaries present were Trudy Latshal, Dept. of PA parliamentarian chairman Patricia Wilson, Dept. of PA central vice president and Girls State chairman; Doris Garland, Dept. of PA district president & AFFY County Council secretary and Americanism chairman, and Nancy Goodwin, Dept. of PA Public Relations, central vice chairman and AFFY County Council second vice president.

Committee chairmen gave their reports. Six awards for goal units (units that have exceeded their quota of members for the year) have been awarded since August. The American Legion Auxiliary is the largest woman's organization in the world and to hold that title everyone was encouraged to promote the growth of Unit Juniors since they are the future of the organization.

December 13 at 1:00 p.m. will be the Scotland School shopping trip at Wal-Mart. The Scotland School Christmas program and party will be held on December 14 at 10:00 a.m. Dept. President Lee Ann Ross will be giving out class rings to each person in the junior class.

Dept. President Ross Project this year is to raise $21,000, which will benefit the VA hospitals, the Fisher House Project in Pittsburgh and "CHOPS," the congenital heart disease program of Philadelphia Childrens Hospital. There has been $3,000 raised since September toward this goal.

June 21-27 of 2009 will be the 63rd session of Keystone Girls State program, which is held at Shippensburg University. The program is available to any girl who has completed her junior year in high school by June 2009. She must never have been married and have no children. She also should be recognized for her leadership abilities, character, good citizenship and scholarship. The main objective of this pro- gram is to educate young women as to the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of American citizenship. Attendees will experience all levels of government from city, county, state and federal government.

Adams, Franklin, Fulton, York County Council Scholarship will again be awarding to two students entering a two- or four-year college, trade school or business school following graduation. The $1,000 scholarships will be awarded in two $500 payments. For a copy of the rules, check list and application check with the local school.

A break was taken at noon and before lunch was served American Legion Post 561 Cmdr.Floyd "Bill" McGinnis welcomed the ladies to the post and thanked them for all of the many services they do for their home posts and veterans.

When the meeting resumed, unit reports were given. A total of 1,768 hours of volunteer community service hours were reported. This includes visiting VA hospitals and nursing homes, assisting in the Meals on Wheels programs, assisting in American Red Cross Blood drives, and making lap robes, scarves and shawls, just to mention a few.

In Pennsylvania alone, there will be more than 4,000 service members leaving the beginning of January. They will deploy 500 a day. The USO will feed them and any family members that show up. The USO will also be sending them off and giving them care packages that contain personal items and phone cards. Any post, unit, SAL or individual that could give a monetary donation would be greatly appreciated. The deploying troops will be from all three sections (western, central and eastern) of the state. On average this cost is $5 per person, so you can see how expensive it can get. If anyone can donate, they can make the check to Liberty USO, and mail it to Liberty USO, Philadelphia Airport Terminal A, Philadelphia, PA 19153.

The next council meetings will be March 6 at Biglerville Post 262, with a Chinese auction, and June 4 at Red Lion Post 543, with election and installation of officers.